Eagle Nation,

I pray this note finds you and your family safe and healthy. I am not sure about you, but this fall has flown by. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week! We have had a lot of positive news to share since my last correspondence!

"What a great day to be an Eagle!" Coach Clay Helton started his introductory press conference with this statement, and I have to say that truer words have never been spoken. Every day is a blessing to be part of this institution and fan base. I want to thank Eagle Nation for extending such a warm welcome to Clay and his wife, Angela. You all made quite the impression and provided further affirmation of why I think we have the best fans and supporters in the nation!

Clay is off to a fast start, already hitting the recruiting trail last week. He has observed several practices between recruiting calls and in-person visits, met individually with current student-athletes and had dialogue with potential assistant coaches and staff. He has been pounding the pavement and making good use of his early start.

I also wanted to thank Kevin Whitley and his staff for their tireless service to finish out the year strong. Head coaching changes during the season are never easy; however, Coach Whitley and his staff have attacked each day and tried to position our young men for success – both on and off the field. 

This Saturday is our last home contest in Paulson for the 2021 season. I am looking forward to honoring our seniors pre-game. As of this morning, we have less than 400 remaining tickets for our game against No. 14 BYU. Paulson is going to be loud and rocking this weekend. If you have not already done so, please purchase a ticket, arrive early, BE LOUD, and help us show others across the nation why we have the best game day environment in the country!  

Our men's and women's basketball teams are both off to 2-0 starts, highlighted by our men's team beating South Florida on the road this past Saturday and our women's team beating Auburn on the road this past Thursday. Both teams' best basketball is still ahead of them! Brian Burg and Anita Howard are both excited about this year's squads, and I would encourage you to check out both teams in person.

Our women's soccer team advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship, highlighting a seven-win improvement from last year. The team tallied the most overall wins since 2013, and the most Sun Belt wins since joining the league. Even more impressive was a 198-spot jump in RPI. Chris Adams and his staff did an incredible job in year one and continue to lay the foundation for being an elite program!

Our women's volleyball program has also made tremendous strides under head coach Chad Willis in year three. Willis' squad enters this week's Sun Belt Tournament on Thursday as a No. 3 seed, highlighted by an 11-win year-over-year improvement and 107 place RPI increase (as of today). Overall, the team has had the most wins since 2014 and recorded its best finish since joining the Sun Belt. Chad Willis and his staff continue to make tremendous strides and are well on their way towards competing for a conference championship!

Our men's and women's golf teams had an excellent fall. In her first season at Georgia Southern, Mimi Burke led the women's team to three top-two finishes en route to establishing several new records, including a three-round total of 851 at the Buccaneer Classic (beating the old school record by 20 strokes) and a low round of 278. Carter Collins and the men's golf team tallied two top-six finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Bank of Tennessee Collegiate. Ben Carr finished in the top eight in all four events this fall and continues to cement himself as one of the program's greats.      

This fall, the women's rifle team set several records, highlighted with a win over No. 18 North Georgia. Men's and women's tennis also had very competitive fall schedules and are poised and ready for spring competitions. The men's soccer team played an extremely tough schedule as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Their slate was rated the 22nd-toughest in the country and they played 10 teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Congrats to Adam Davie, who was named first-team all-conference! Our women's swimming and diving team notched three top-two finishes this fall and set several personal bests. This past weekend we had three cross country student-athletes compete at the NCAA South Regional, and all three Eagles beat their collegiate 6K times.

On a separate note, we had a big announcement on Oct. 21 regarding the Coaches' Continuity Fund's rebranding to the Competitive Excellence Fund. This new fund will be focused on helping Eagle student-athletes achieve excellence in the classroom, on the field of play, and in life. Dollars directed to this new fund will be used to attain and retain the best coaches in the country, as well as helping student-athletes who experience special circumstances, such as returning to school to finish degree work. I want to encourage each of you to please go to www.GSEagles.com/CEF to make an impact on Georgia Southern student-athletes today!

In closing, for Georgia Southern to reach its desired goals, I will continue to strategically highlight three (3) things that individuals and companies can do to help us:
 

1. Financially support the Athletic Foundation and the Erk Russell Fund
2. Buy season tickets and create a home-field advantage
3. Get others to do the same!

Our Athletic Ticket Office is ready to assist you in purchasing tickets and can be reached at 1-800-GSU-WINS or via email at tickets@georgiasouthern.edu. For those wishing to donate, please go to:  www.Give.GSEagles.com.

Our best days are ahead – thank you for your continued support!

Hail Southern! GATA!

Jared Benko
Georgia Southern Director of Athletics